I am with you all the way, op. Some of the replies are really nasty.
Look, it's this simple. The op was at the beach, an experience many of us know. She had probably had a swim, played with the kids, sunbathed, read her books and mags, played beach ball whatever, and there she was sitting on the beach. Doing that most interesting of activities, watching people. People-watching. And where better than on a beach? All of humanity is there, the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the slim, the fat, the happy, the unhappy, the straight, the gays, the pregnant, the locals, the tourists, bikins, burkinis, budgie-smugglers, one pieces etc, etc. A parade of humanity in front of her. Up and down the beach, back and forth. Conversations, laughter, arguements she hears snatches of. All with very few clothes on. All these practically naked apes. And she's observing the differences and similarities between us all, and how they clothe themselves. And since she's a woman, and a woman who has been various weights, she's observing how other women clothe themselves. How women clothe themselves is of interest to many women. It's interesting, right? This a women-centred forum, where a whole chapter is devoted to Style and Beauty. And that is all she is doing. She is looking and commenting. We all look at each other (men and women) , have opinions, comment. It's no big deal.